Lexical Summary mishtowach: Worship, bowing down Original Word: מִשְׁטוֹחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to spread forth, Or mishtach {mish-takh'}; from shatach; a spreading-place -- (to) spread (forth, -ing, upon). see HEBREW shatach Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִשְׁטָח] noun [masculine] spreading-place (Late Hebrew for drying figs, etc., (ARSKEncy. Bib. FRUIT, 1568)); — construct מִשְׁטַח חֲרָמִים Ezekiel 26:5,14. [מִשְׁטוֺחַ] noun [masculine] id.; — לַחֲרָמִים ׳מ Ezekiel 47:10. שֹׁטֵט see שׁוט, שִׁטִּים see above. Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning and Imageryמִשְׁטוֹחַ denotes an area purposely cleared or leveled as a “spreading-place,” especially for fishing nets. The term therefore evokes the world of fishermen—occupation, livelihood, and dependence on the providence of God for daily bread. Old Testament Usage 1. Ezekiel 26:5 – Tyre, once an imposing island fortress, is condemned: “She will be a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations”. Historical Background • Tyre’s maritime supremacy rested on sheltered harbors, seawalls, and a robust trade network. Ezekiel’s prophecy strips her of these advantages, reducing her to a barren reef where only humble fishermen dry their nets. History records successive conquests (Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian) that methodically fulfilled the oracle. Theology of Judgment and Restoration מִשְׁטוֹחַ functions as a literary hinge. In Ezekiel 26 it pictures humiliation: a proud city is reduced to subsistence activity. In Ezekiel 47 it heralds renewal: lifeless waters teem with life. God’s sovereignty is therefore exhibited both in tearing down the arrogant and in raising up the lowly. Symbolism of Nets Nets appear throughout Scripture as instruments of provision (Habakkuk 1:16), judgment (Ecclesiastes 9:12), and mission (Matthew 4:19). The association with מִשְׁטוֹחַ highlights two truths: 1. Human labor remains meaningful, yet entirely contingent on divine decree (Luke 5:5-6). Christological and Eschatological Echoes Ezekiel’s river anticipates the “river of the water of life” in Revelation 22:1-2, while the fertile “spreading-places” foreshadow the abundance of the new creation. Messiah’s call to become “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) places believers within this prophetic continuum: judgment has been borne by Christ, and restoration is already advancing through the gospel. Ministry Significance • Humility—Tyre’s fate warns against reliance on economic strength and strategic location. Related Themes Fishing, judgment of nations, river of life, new creation, humility versus pride, evangelism imagery. Summary מִשְׁטוֹחַ, though rare, frames a sweeping biblical narrative: from the abasement of a haughty port city to the vibrant renewal of a barren sea, culminating in the gospel mandate to spread the net of salvation until every tongue and tribe are gathered to Christ. Forms and Transliterations מִשְׁט֥וֹחַ מִשְׁטַ֤ח מִשְׁטַ֨ח משטוח משטח miš·ṭaḥ miš·ṭō·w·aḥ mishTach mishToach mišṭaḥ mišṭōwaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 26:5 HEB: מִשְׁטַ֨ח חֲרָמִ֤ים תִּֽהְיֶה֙ NAS: She will be a place for the spreading of nets KJV: It shall be [a place for] the spreading of nets INT: place of nets will become Ezekiel 26:14 Ezekiel 47:10 3 Occurrences |
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